Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years of age. Talk with healthcare provider. Check all of your child's medicines, including over-the-counter, with healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• Do not give Benadryl® Children's Allergy Fastmelt® if your child is allergic to peanuts or soybeans.

• If you have an allergy to diphenhydramine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have asthma.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to stop coughing.

• This medicine is used to relieve allergy symptoms.

• This medicine is used to relieve motion sickness.

• This medicine is used to treat hives.

• This medicine is used to treat itching.

• This medicine is used to treat Parkinson's disease.

• This medicine is used to treat swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• This medicine is used to treat sleep disorders.

How does it work?

• Diphenhydramine blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing or preventing the body's reaction to the allergen.

• It helps treat a chemical imbalance.

• It calms the brain.

• It affects the vomiting center in the brain.

How is it best taken?

Oral:

• If you are taking this medicine for an allergy, it is most effective if started before contact with the allergen. Take at least 1-3 hours before.

• If you are taking this medicine for motion sickness, take 30 minutes before travel.

• If you are taking this medicine for a sleep disorder, take 1 hour before going to bed.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• A liquid (elixir, syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

• Oral-disintegrating tablet: Place on tongue and let dissolve. Water is not needed. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

Skin:

• Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).

• Wash hands before and after use.

• Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.

• Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and rub in gently.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than every 4 hours, unless instructed by healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

All forms:

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

Oral:

• If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

Skin:

• Use caution on skin where a large area is involved or where there are open wounds.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

Oral:

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

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